FBI Adds Two Syrian Nationals to Cyber Most Wanted List

Three Syrian nationals, all current or former members of the Syrian Electronic Army (SEA), were included in cyber most wanted list by FBI, according to the US Department of Justice.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) added two Syrian nationals to its cyber most wanted list, and charged a third man with computer crimes in support of the Syrian government, the US Department of Justice announced on Tuesday.

"Three Syrian nationals, all current or former members of the Syrian Electronic Army (SEA), were charged with multiple conspiracies related to computer hacking," according to the two criminal complaints quoted in the annoucement.

The Justice Department charged Ahmad Umar Agha and Firas Dardar with compromising US government computers and defacing government websites in support of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The FBI added both men, who are believed to be in Syria, to its cyber most wanted list.

Dardar and a third man, Peter Romar, were separately charged with multiple counts of conspiracy relating to computer hacking, extortion, money laundering and violating Syrian Sanctions Regulations by transferring money to Syria.

Romar resides in Germany, according to an unsealed FBI affidavit.

"The Syrian Electronic Army publicly claims that its hacking activities are conducted in support of the embattled regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad," Assistant Attorney General John Carlin noted. The group has targeted US government and media websites and social media accounts since 2011.

In April 2013, the US stock market plunged briefly after the group gained access to the Twitter account of the Associated Press and falsely reported that the White House had been attacked. Despite the hackers claiming they support Assad, there is no proof the group is connected to the Syrian government.